Blogs

Otuska's Abilify MyCite, the first FDA-approved pill that notifies physicians when the pill is consumed, is being rolled out to Medicaid patients in Florida. The pill costs approximately $1650/month. Bioethicists weighed in on the ethics of measuring compliance, and ultimately FDA approved the pill. What do you think? Is the public health threat of schizophrenia a greater concern than patient autonomy? Does the fact that it is going to Medicaid patients only in this first rollout modify your reasoning?

We've had two webinars recently on conscience objection related to the new HHS regulations protecting them. There have been two instances in Arizona recently where a pharmacist has refused to provide the medication prescribed to a patient. One script was for the "morning-after" pill, while the other was for hormone therapy for a person transitioning. Do you think the pharmacist(s) had the right to refuse to provide the medication?

The Arizona Department of Health and Human Services has broadcast some information and insights into opioids in Arizona in light of the Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act, most of which goes into effect in 2019. Dr. Christ, director of AZDHS, details the aspects of the law currently in effect. Read about it here. We'd love to hear from you. Has your practice changed either because of the law or because of the information regarding opioids? If you are a patient currently receiving opioids for pain management, have you seen changes from your physicians regarding your treatment? We'll have a full workshop on this topic on August 17 in Flagstaff. Join us there!

Research explores the high cost of getting sick, and finds that lost wages cause long-lasting impact on the financial security of the patient. Have you experienced a similar crisis? Were you able to take advantage of FMLA to offset your lost wages?

Recently, the new agencies have reported that hospitals are facing a shortage of opioids. Now here is an article reporting that an International Human Rights organization will investigate the treatment of chronic pain in the US. Do you think the opioid epidemic and opioid shortage will affect you or your practice?

Sue Ellen Allen, a local activist, hands out pillows to Arizona lawmakers to highlight the difficulties women face in Arizona prisons/jails with receiving health care and health products. The pillows were made of femine hygiene products because until recently women held in confinement in Arizona were allowed only twelve pads a month for menstrual cycles and tampons had to be purchased from the central supply. What are your thoughts on healthcare for Arizona inmates?

Our webinar on February 21, 2018 discussed unconscious bias using case studies of sickle cell disease patients in a vaso-occlusive crisis to view the opioid crisis and The Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act, particularly when a patient presents in pain. Will unconscious bias, or institutional or public health concerns, pressure the physician to avoid prescribing opioids? What does your institution do to educate practicing physicians and students to be aware of their own unconscious biases?